Nevertheless the sun hides not Virginia's Dismal Swamp…
““Nevertheless the sun hides not Virginia's Dismal Swamp, nor Rome's accursed Campagna, nor wide Sahara, nor all the million miles of deserts and of griefs beneath the moon. The sun hides not the ocean, which is the dark side of this earth, and which is two thirds of this earth. So, therefore, that mortal man who hath more of joy than sorrow in him, that mortal man cannot be true -- not true, or undeveloped.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Even the vastest, darkest places are illuminated by the sun; true joy must outweigh sorrow, otherwise one is incomplete.
In simple terms: Sun reaches everywhere; joy must dominate sorrow.
Key Takeaway
Seek balance of joy over sorrow.
Themes
philosophy
existence
light
darkness
Mood
thoughtful
poetic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- spiritual contemplation
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
metaphor
dualism
human condition
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you measure joy versus sorrow?
- Can darkness exist without light?
A Different Perspective
Joy alone may be insufficient without confronting sorrow.